Tweets Go Farther When Lifted By A Sharknado

I’m happy if a handful of my Twitter follows read my tweets, even more so if some responds or retweets my comments.  It is even more amazing when someone outside of my social network sees my tweets.  Thanks to the pop culture phenomenon know as the Sharknado film series, the water cooler has moved from the morning after an airing to an interactive live experience on social media. It’s amazing to see the traction some tweets have received.

Sharknado 2:

I don’t want to get political but there have been more Sharknados during Obama’s presidency than all other presidents combined. #Sharknado2

— Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) July 31, 2014

Over 2,200 retweets from nearly every time zone on the planet and some even three months later! Not only that, but the tweet was picked up by some media outlets as well:

ET Online
People
NY Daily News

And look at some of the analytics as well:

There’s no way I could capture lightning, um, a shark in a bottle again, right?

Sharknado 3:

I hate it when the movie is so different from the book #Sharknado3 — Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) July 23, 2015

Not as many impressions but still picked up in the media:
Mashable

With Sharknado 4 already schedule to air in the summer of 2016, I have plenty of time to prepare my shark-tastic tweets.

BONUS:

Unauthorized Saved By The Bell Movie:

Jennie Garth, Jaleel White, Jonathan Brandis and Brian Austin Green all auditioned for Saved By The Bell #unauthorized

— Jason W. Rocco (@JasonWRocco) September 2, 2014

This tweet was picked up by:
Hollywood Life

Recon Jet Review – Video

The Recon Instruments Jet is a pair of smart glasses aimed at the active lifestyle with specific focus on running and cycling.

Pros:
Comfortable
Great battery life
Easy to swap out battery and lens
Engage software – amazing for tracking activities

Cons:
High price
Limited 3rd party apps

4.5 out of 5 stars – Great for those who want to keep track of their biking and/or running activities

$699.00 – reconinstruments.com for additional information and to purchase

My Two Weeks with LyveHome

These days, it seems as though the last feature described by companies about their smartphones is the phone part.  The main feature discussed? The camera. Megapixels, zoom, editing features, burst shots, etc., etc., etc.. So now that you have a good camera that is always with you, what happens to all of the photos you take? Do they mostly live on your device with a few shared through social media?  The new issue isn’t how you are taking photos, it’s how you are using your photos.

The LyveHome seeks to resolve this issue.  The easiest way to describe the LyveHome is it is the result of a torrid love affair between an external hard drive and a digital photo frame. The device features a 5” screen with 2 TB of storage and is slightly bigger than a can of soda.  It fits well with the other technology on my desk without overpowering the space.  Setup is simple: plug in LyveHome, connect to WiFi and you are ready to go. You can plug in a a SD card or USB device directly into the LyveHome to transfer photos and videos.  It doesn’t want your Excel spreadsheets or your word documents. No, this is strictly a memory box, not a file cabinet for work items.

The real magic of LyveHome is not the physical device but the software itself.  You can install the app on your phone (iOS and Android for now, no word on Windows Phone yet), tablet (same OS as above) or computer (Mac and Windows).  Once installed, photos and videos can automatically be backed up from the devices to the LyveHome.  My initial backup of roughly 2,200 photos and 50 videos from my Galaxy S5 to the LyveHome took about 45 minutes through my home WiFi. There is an ethernet port which could speed up the process.  Now when I take a photo with my phone, it is automagically backed up on the LyveHome. (You can change the settings to do this immediately through cell data or to wait for your phone to connect to WiFi.) And it isn’t only a thumbnail of the photo, it’s the full sized file.  

Yes, it really is that easy to set up.

 

The genius of the LyveHome software is that you ALWAYS have all of your photos with you. Looking for pictures from Little Timmy’s birthday party? Check.  Want to share photos from your recent vacation? Check. No matter if it is on your tablet, laptop or phone, you can access your photos on the go.  All of the photos are compressed on your device so they take up a fraction of the space.  When you want to share it through any of the devices options, the full file is available. 

Pros:

• Always have all of your photos with you
• Easy set up, simple controls
• Compatible with most devices

Cons:

• Can only sort photos by date taken (Update could add theme and event tags)
• Windows Phone OS not compatible
• It would be nice to share albums or groups of photos instead of opening up full account to friends

 

Overall, $299 is fair price for a sturdy, easy to use device that consolidates your photos and provides easy access on the go especially when you consider what it would cost in monthly fees to host 2 TB in the cloud.  Future software updates should only add value to the LyveHome. Grade: A- (Could change with upgrades) Must buy for the mobile photographer, social media picture sharer.

 

Check out My Live site for more information and to purchase.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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How to survive a conference

 

With BlogHer ‘12 rapidly approaching, I’d like to share some quick tips I’ve picked up over the years from attending conferences such as CES and E3:

1. Plan ahead

Even if you put on your track shoes and sprint, you will not see everything and get an opportunity to talk to everyone.  Make a list of the top ten people or companies you want to interact with and try to set something up ahead of time.  Do the same with any sessions or demonstrations that you want to see as well.  I can guarantee you that at least two sessions on your list will be at either the same time or will be on completely opposite sides of the hall.  Several conferences, such as BlogHer, now offer apps that allow you to put your agenda on your phone and actually maps out all of your favorites.  Install, load and learn how these apps work ahead of time. Prior planning will help you get the most out of your time. 

My first trip to E3 was overwhelming; I spent way too long just amazing at the sheer scope of the show and wandering the floor aimlessly.  If I had planned properly, I would have been more focused.

2. Pack just enough stuff

Everyone has dreams of live-blogging, streaming, tweeting and other –ings the entire conference.  They bring the latest gadgets in addition to their super laptop, HD video camera, DSLR and the rest of their production studio.  Good for them! But unless you have a team of interns lugging your gear around the floor, things can get heavy and cumbersome by the end of day three.  Plus you need to account for the added weight from all of the swag you know you are going to pick up.  Leave the desktop PC at home and use a tablet instead.  Unless you are going to use the gadget several times throughout the day, leave it at home.

3. Wear comfortable shoes

If there is only one piece of advice you take from this posting, it is wear comfortable shoes.  You will walk a lot more than you realize, some days even the distance of a marathon.  I know that fashion is key and you want to look your best, but your feet will thank me at the end of the conference.

4. Power it up

Speaking of gadgets and gizmos, unless it is so wonderful that it runs on unicorn wishes, you are going to need a way to stay charged throughout the day.  Assuming you don’t want to be tethered to an outlet all day, I’d recommend two devices: the Mophie Juice Pack and the Powerbag.

               

The Mophie is a battery pack that doubles as a phone case and can double the life of your phone as it charges on the go.  The Powerbag has pockets for your laptop, tablet, camera, phone and other gadgets and can charge those while you are walking around.  The bag features micro, mini and regular USB connections as well as an Apple connector. 

If you do decide to hunt for a power outlet, you will find that an open one is a premium.  Easy solution: carry your own three prong extension cord.  It will allow the other person to stay plugged in and gives you two outlets of your own.  Plus it is a great icebreaker to meet new people.

5. Meet new people

Yes, it seems obvious but some people get so wrapped up in seeing the latest tech or immersing themselves in sessions that they often put off meeting people.  There are literally thousands of other people in the same room as you that share your interests and/or work in the same industry as you.  Make a friend, make a future collaborator, meet a future employer…the sky is the limit.  Despite how technologically advanced we are these days, there is still something special and real about a business card.  It is a tangible item that can extend your first impression for more than a moment. Plus you don’t have to worry about compatibility with someone else’s phone. 

I add a photo of myself to the card to help trigger who I am in the person’s mind.  After meeting hundreds of people over a few days, it is very easy for names and faces to blend together.  Also, since one of my main hobbies is photography, I like to add one of my photos to the back of the card for a personal touch.  Moo.com lets you personalize your cards and you can make each card unique if you’d like.

6. Eat

You’ve charged your tablet and phone, pressed your shirt and have your comfy shoes shined to a T.  Don’t forget your personal fuel: food.  It is easy to put off eating with all of the excitement on the show floor but just like Mom said, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  Most hotels will have some sort of breakfast package included so make sure to take advantage of that whenever you can.  Don’t be afraid to pack a snack in your bag.  Pro Tip: Food quality at most convention centers is average at best while being severely overpriced.  Plus seating can be limited (i.e. whatever scrap of floor off the path you can find).  It is okay to go outside to grab a bite to eat and get some fresh air.  Don’t worry, the conference won’t meet you too much.

7. Parties

Several companies and associations will host parties and special events that will feature celebs, access and champagne flowing from the heavens. You will not be invited to all of these.  That’s okay.  There will be several events that you will be able to attend.  Pay attention as some require you to RSVP ahead of time while others may be open to the public but with certain criteria to attend.  Let loose, have fun and enjoy.

 

Any other tips or suggestions? Please add them in the comments.